Hooded man who threatened and terrorised home’s residents jailed for six months

Warrnambool Magistrates Court was told Christopher Chapman, 28, of Hood Street, had disguised his face with a ‘hoodie’ when he walked into a Warrnambool home and made demands, threatening to have other people “run through” the home later unless they complied with his threats by the time he returned.

A DENNINGTON man who terrorised two people by threatening to do a “run through” of their Warrnambool home has been sentenced to six months’ jail.

Warrnambool Magistrates Court was told Christopher Chapman, 28, of Hood Street, had disguised his face with a ‘hoodie’ when he walked into a Warrnambool home and made demands, threatening to have other people “run through” the home later unless they complied with his threats by the time he returned.

He also damaged a car parked outside the house.

The two people who were threatened rang police who arrested Chapman when he returned to the house.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said the aggravated burglary committed by Chapman “strikes fear into the heart of people”.

Homes were meant to be places of safety and Chapman’s crime dispelled that, Mr Mellas said.

He said Chapman had planned the crime and disguised himself, which meant it was not a spur of the moment decision.

He sentenced Chapman, who pleaded guilty, to 12 months’ jail with six months to serve.

The six months would include the 32 days that Chapman has already served in custody and the balance of the 12 months would be suspended, Mr Mellas said.

Chapman also received the 12-month sentence for criminal damage, handling stolen goods and possessing an unlicensed and unregistered air pistol when he was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sandra Skilton said the aggravated burglary occurred in Warrnambool on May 29.

She said a search of Chapman’s premises on May 29 had found clothing buried in the ground that had been stolen in a burglary committed between May 20-21.

Alex McCulloch, for Chapman, said Chapman’s substance abuse had led to the offences.

He said his client had been a long-time user of cannabis and also a user of methamphethamine.

He said that since Chapman had stopped working because of a work injury, his life had spiralled out of control since 2012.

Mr Mellas said it was a monumental leap to justify an aggravated burglary by saying the offender had suffered an industrial injury.

Mr Mellas said he understood Chapman believed he had been dismissed from work in unjustified circumstances but very few people turned to crime in such circumstances.

Chapman also breached a CCO when he committed the offences and Mr Mellas adjourned that charge to November 3, which he said would be about the time that Chapman would be released from jail.